RAOC Gazette - page 180
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
BIRTHS LAWTON.—On 21st March 1980, at BMH Rinteln, to Carol and Frank, a daughter, Catherine Louise, a sister for Timothy. LEE.—On 23rd November 1979, at Saint Martins Hospital Bath, to Staff Sergeant and Mrs P. W. Lee, a son, Timothy William. PATRICK.—On 22nd February 1980, at the Louise Margaret Maternity Hospital, Aldershot, to Major and Mrs Tony Patrick, a daughter Katherine Louise. RUDD.—On 22nd January 1980, at Wraughton Hospital, Swin- don, to Corporal and Mrs R. J. Rudd, a son John Denton. WATFORD.—On the 14th March 1980, at RAF Hospital, Weg- berg, to W02 and Mrs Watford, a son, Daniel Oliver, brother for Guy, Adam and Benjamin. MARRIAGES LYON—MANTON.—The marriage took place at the Royal Chapel of St Katherine in the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, on Monday 7th April 1980, of Melanie, daughter of Major General R. Lyon CB OBE (Retd), and Mrs Lyon of Linkfield Cottage, Millhill, Musselburgh, East Lothian, and Captain Ashley Robert Manton RA, son of Lieutenant Colonel W. R. Manton OBE TD (Retd), and Mrs Manton of Timbercroft, Lower Green Road, Esher. Surrey. DEATHS CRAWLEY.—On 12th March 1980, at the British Military Hospital Woolwich, Conductor M. E. Crawley. CUTFORTH.—On 7th April 1980, at Ascot, Major General Sir Lancelot Cutforth KBE CB. Obituaries. BRIGADIER WILLIAM MARSDEN EASTMAN, GC BRIGADIER R'. L. ALLEN, CBE writes: — It is very sad to record the death of Brigadier (Bill) Eastman in Malta after a very long illness following a stroke. 1 first met him fleetingly at Bramley in 1940 after he had completed the first wartime Inspecting Ordnance Officers course, and not knowing what was in store for that heroic island, many of us envied him his posting to Malta. It was there on the following October that he was awarded the George Cross for coping with large numbers of unexploded German aircraft bombs. He it was who encountered the first of the anti- withdrawal devices fitted beneath the fuzes, and it was a miracle that he survived this discovery. There is a story that having dug the hole to reach one bomb on a hot day in his shirtsleeves, he stopped and donned his Service Dress and Sam Browne before returning to his task. When asked why, he replied: " If I have to die, I might as well die decent." We later shared an office together at General Head- quarters in the Middle East and when things, before and after Alamein were to say the least, hectic, he proved his mettle. I took over as Chief Inspecting Ordnance Officer when he returned to Malta, a choice of posting not unconnected with a girl named Yvonne whom he married, and who with his two daughters, Diane and Kim, survives him. Having made a name for himself in the ammunition field he gravitated to SHAPE where he became ADOS Logistics, and Brigadier W . M . Eastman, C C . thence to Stores and commanded Viersen. Later he com- manded CAD Bramley. His last appointment before his retire- ment was Commandant of the RAOC Training Centre at Black- down, where many will remember his meticulousness in preparing for the Annual Study periods. He always had a keen eye for everything that went on in his commands. Even a walk around a Depot in the evening with his dog would produce a spate of pregnant ' strolling notes' for his subordinates in the morning. His honesty, personal kindnesses to many people and generosity were a by- word, and he had a keen sense of humour. Sport, especially rugby football was something he had a passion for and many will remember him rushing up and down the touchline shout- ing words of encouragement mixed with insults at his team. His last visit to the United Kingdom, in spite of his illness that was apparent even then, was for a reunion of the VC/GC Association. He won the George Cross once, but deserved it to my knowledge at least twice, for he cheerfully accepted the task of dealing with seven ships which reached the Red Sea carrying the infamous Dutch Anti-tank Mine—a misnomer, as it was manufactured in the USA. We were advised by signal that following a disaster in America, it had been dis- covered that the fuzes were so dangerous that a drop of eighteen inches was all that was required to detonate them and of course the mines themselves with which they were packed. He organised and supervised the unloading of these seven very dangerous vessels Without an accident. It was typical of him that he made so little fuss of this remarkable exploit that those responsible for awards or writing histories probably hardly knew what he had been up to. He is a man who has conferred great honour and dis- tinction on our Corps. Our hearts go out to his wife Yvonne and his family in their loss. * * * BRIGADIER EASTMAN BRIGADIER R. L. JEPHSON JONES GC writes: — Bill Eastman was posted to Malta in the rank of Lieutenant to assist me on IOO duties; these were very soon completely taken up with disposal of unexploded bombs and Bill and I worked together as equal partners on the job. He was a great asset. His bright personality brought a ray of cheer to those rather gloomy days. Furthermore he was very efficient, quite fearless, and brought a nice sense of humour to our work. We were fortunate enough to be awarded the George Cross and these were given as a joint award on the same citation, and together we went to the Palace to receive them at the hands of HM King George VI. My wife and I always looked forward to meeting Bill and Yvonne at the many social functions throughout our career until they finally retired to Malta. Our sympathy goes out to Yvonne in her great loss. — 375 — |
| Book number | R0403a |